SOL opt-out

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The SOL tests are in a couple of weeks and there has still been no test prep other than the quarter end tests.

Do you even know what test prep looks like? Are you in the classroom every day? Any teacher not preparing all year for SOL's is some form or another is going to be in big trouble. You just don't really understand what goes on in a classroom and how the curriculum is altered and pared down to keep the focus on what's on the test and nothing else. OR there really has been no test prep because you are in a high-income school and no one has to worry about test scores. If so, then lucky you, but anyone with even a moderate percentage of FARM in the school is getting prepped to death.

We are in a high income school and no one talks about these tests at all. No one cares including the teachers.

Wow, I wish I had thought about that before we bought our house. We have only 25% FARM, but it's still test-centered and stressful at our school. It's so unfair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are there 5 SOLs in 8th grade? That is crazy. I think 3 should be the max.

Well at some point I'd like there to be a writing test. I wish the 5th grade would have stayed. They're always interested in dropping the writing ones because those take longer to grade. Alternate the science and social studies if it's a problem. I took the IOWAs every year and it had a slew of different subjects. There were 6-8 subjects that kids were tested on as they got older. Maybe these tests are just too longer per subject and each subject needs to be scaled back.

The schools don't do the grading, so that can't have been the reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
All kids who failed an SOL were placed together the next year. That would be your kid too. At our elementary school. Why have your kid risk the consequences? So you can feel can good about YOU taking a stand.


I don't believe that. This is called tracking, and I guarantee it doesn't happen in FCPS, at least not in elementary school. Unlikely any of the other school districts are doing that either. I am a teacher, and I know how classes are composed, and sol scores aren't even available when classes are made, much less taken into account.

It sure DID HAPPEN in FCPS. No way you can know what happens at all schools

What kind of school - it's not supposed to happen in elementary school, at least. Middle and High I don't know. Of course, anything can happen anywhere in fcps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always get a bit confused when I hear people complaining about the SOLs, is the concern the amount of class time spent on prep or the actual amount of time students spend testing? I understand the first concern, but not the second. Students really spend very little time on the actual tests, they are spread out and most finish them in an hour.

I can tell you that's not true of the elementary school where I worked up until a few years ago. I don't know what goes on in other fcps schools, but in ours (high FARM), we lived for these tests. In 3rd grade we had 4 tests, over 4 days. The build up to test week was unreal. The stress and anxiety could be felt everywhere. On test days (which lasted 2-3 weeks total for the whole school), everything was affected. Specials and lunch and recess were altered or canceled. Everyone had to be super quiet in the classrooms and hallways. There were no ESOL or spec ed teachers available the whole time because they were busy proctoring, and some teacher assistants, too. We had a strict schedule to follow as far as getting out testing materials and beginning the test - down to the minute. If anyone stepped out of line, made a peep in the hallway, picked up a test kit a moment late, there was hell to pay. We were warned and threatened to the point of near panic attacks about proper testing procedures and what would happen to us if we messed up. The possibility of a student needing to use the bathroom, for example, was treated like a major international event. We were encouraged to make the kids sit and test as long as necessary to make sure they did the best job possible. If someone finished too quickly, we would try not to take their paper. Everyone had to sit in the room until the last person was finished (with exceptions for kids who needed more than 3 hours). Only the best students finished in an hour - most needed at least 2 hours, and more than a few needed most of the day. For students with accommodations (we had a lot of them), the procedures were more intense and the tests longer.

Basically, life stopped for SOL tests, and we did this not once, but 3 times a year for each grade.

I am envious of those in low FARM schools who apparently don't go through this. It is apparently yet another example of how our low-income kids get a lower quality education, from the very thing intended to equalize.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The SOL tests are in a couple of weeks and there has still been no test prep other than the quarter end tests.

Do you even know what test prep looks like? Are you in the classroom every day? Any teacher not preparing all year for SOL's is some form or another is going to be in big trouble. You just don't really understand what goes on in a classroom and how the curriculum is altered and pared down to keep the focus on what's on the test and nothing else. OR there really has been no test prep because you are in a high-income school and no one has to worry about test scores. If so, then lucky you, but anyone with even a moderate percentage of FARM in the school is getting prepped to death.

We are in a high income school and no one talks about these tests at all. No one cares including the teachers.

Wow, I wish I had thought about that before we bought our house. We have only 25% FARM, but it's still test-centered and stressful at our school. It's so unfair.

We were at a high income school (less than 10% farm) and the teachers/principals went ABSOLUTELY INSANE talking about the sols. My kid had stomach aches everyday and talked about the sols CONSTANYLY. I told him to quit worrying about it every day, but it didn't help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
We are in a high income school and no one talks about these tests at all. No one cares including the teachers.

Wow, I wish I had thought about that before we bought our house. We have only 25% FARM, but it's still test-centered and stressful at our school. It's so unfair.

We were at a high income school (less than 10% farm) and the teachers/principals went ABSOLUTELY INSANE talking about the sols. My kid had stomach aches everyday and talked about the sols CONSTANTLY. I told him to quit worrying about it every day, but it didn't help.

IME, the two things that send schools down the path of endless test prep are lower income and less-senior teachers/administrators. Our inbred ES was much more laid-back about SOLs before we got a new principal. The MS and HS have always been more diverse, and they've had a lot more test prep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are there 5 SOLs in 8th grade? That is crazy. I think 3 should be the max.

Well at some point I'd like there to be a writing test. I wish the 5th grade would have stayed. They're always interested in dropping the writing ones because those take longer to grade. Alternate the science and social studies if it's a problem. I took the IOWAs every year and it had a slew of different subjects. There were 6-8 subjects that kids were tested on as they got older. Maybe these tests are just too longer per subject and each subject needs to be scaled back.

The schools don't do the grading, so that can't have been the reason.

It costs more to grade these tests and it takes more time. This is why the writing test was an easy target to take out when parents were clamoring to get rid of SOL tests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The SOL tests are in a couple of weeks and there has still been no test prep other than the quarter end tests.

Do you even know what test prep looks like? Are you in the classroom every day? Any teacher not preparing all year for SOL's is some form or another is going to be in big trouble. You just don't really understand what goes on in a classroom and how the curriculum is altered and pared down to keep the focus on what's on the test and nothing else. OR there really has been no test prep because you are in a high-income school and no one has to worry about test scores. If so, then lucky you, but anyone with even a moderate percentage of FARM in the school is getting prepped to death.

We are in a high income school and no one talks about these tests at all. No one cares including the teachers.

Wow, I wish I had thought about that before we bought our house. We have only 25% FARM, but it's still test-centered and stressful at our school. It's so unfair.

We were at a high income school (less than 10% farm) and the teachers/principals went ABSOLUTELY INSANE talking about the sols. My kid had stomach aches everyday and talked about the sols CONSTANYLY. I told him to quit worrying about it every day, but it didn't help.

Every day of the year or every day the test was being held? Our school talks about them the week before and during the tests. I don't think that's too much time.

[Anonymous]

Every day of the year or every day the test was being held? Our school talks about them the week before and during the tests. I don't think that's too much time.

Just because "they don't talk about" the SOLs, doesn't mean, the teachers, administrators and kids aren't living under the shadow of these tests all year long. Pay close attention. Take a look at the worksheets - the cloze reading practices, the vocabulary matching sheets, the on-screen surveys and practices. It's all test prep. Notice what is missing - field trips, hands-on-learning, smaller classes, double recess, writing projects, writing stories and book reports, creative projects. If you're lucky, your kid's teacher may do one of those per year. Talk to your kid's teachers, the experienced teachers of 5+ years, and ask them how they've had to change their lessons in the past 5 years.

If parents do nothing - nothing will change with the SOLs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Every day of the year or every day the test was being held? Our school talks about them the week before and during the tests. I don't think that's too much time.

Just because "they don't talk about" the SOLs, doesn't mean, the teachers, administrators and kids aren't living under the shadow of these tests all year long. Pay close attention. Take a look at the worksheets - the cloze reading practices, the vocabulary matching sheets, the on-screen surveys and practices. It's all test prep. Notice what is missing - field trips, hands-on-learning, smaller classes, double recess, writing projects, writing stories and book reports, creative projects. If you're lucky, your kid's teacher may do one of those per year. Talk to your kid's teachers, the experienced teachers of 5+ years, and ask them how they've had to change their lessons in the past 5 years.

If parents do nothing - nothing will change with the SOLs.

I call that teaching to a curriculum. That's different than test prep. Our school has 3 in class field trips and 3 out of class field trips. It's plenty. The teachers are the ones who aren't into teaching writing BECAUSE THE SOL WRITING TEST WAS REMOVED! And because they are time consuming for teachers so teachers tend to stick with what is required by the curriculum. Recess is once per day because THAT'S WHAT'S REQUIRED BY LAW. FCPS is all about hands on, project based learning. There's something every month which is more than enough.They just have too many kids per class to implement it well. They'd rather spend their money on other things than class size. Reducing class size is not a huge cost and overall FCPS does not have the largest class size in the region. They just give more teachers to the poorer schools. Class size is just not something they're willing to rob Peter to pay Paul. Book reports are a thing of the past because FCPS feels they are not beneficial. It has nothing to do with testing.

[Anonymous]

And with all of FCPS's days off throughout the school year, there are plenty of days to do additional field trips as a family. My kid even goes on field trips with SACC on these days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Every day of the year or every day the test was being held? Our school talks about them the week before and during the tests. I don't think that's too much time.

Just because "they don't talk about" the SOLs, doesn't mean, the teachers, administrators and kids aren't living under the shadow of these tests all year long. Pay close attention. Take a look at the worksheets - the cloze reading practices, the vocabulary matching sheets, the on-screen surveys and practices. It's all test prep. Notice what is missing - field trips, hands-on-learning, smaller classes, double recess, writing projects, writing stories and book reports, creative projects. If you're lucky, your kid's teacher may do one of those per year. Talk to your kid's teachers, the experienced teachers of 5+ years, and ask them how they've had to change their lessons in the past 5 years.

If parents do nothing - nothing will change with the SOLs.

I call that teaching to a curriculum. That's different than test prep. Our school has 3 in class field trips and 3 out of class field trips. It's plenty. The teachers are the ones who aren't into teaching writing BECAUSE THE SOL WRITING TEST WAS REMOVED! And because they are time consuming for teachers so teachers tend to stick with what is required by the curriculum. Recess is once per day because THAT'S WHAT'S REQUIRED BY LAW. FCPS is all about hands on, project based learning. There's something every month which is more than enough.They just have too many kids per class to implement it well. They'd rather spend their money on other things than class size. Reducing class size is not a huge cost and overall FCPS does not have the largest class size in the region. They just give more teachers to the poorer schools. Class size is just not something they're willing to rob Peter to pay Paul. Book reports are a thing of the past because FCPS feels they are not beneficial. It has nothing to do with testing.


Growing up in the 80's I only had one recess per day. That was way before the sols.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Every day of the year or every day the test was being held? Our school talks about them the week before and during the tests. I don't think that's too much time.

Just because "they don't talk about" the SOLs, doesn't mean, the teachers, administrators and kids aren't living under the shadow of these tests all year long. Pay close attention. Take a look at the worksheets - the cloze reading practices, the vocabulary matching sheets, the on-screen surveys and practices. It's all test prep. Notice what is missing - field trips, hands-on-learning, smaller classes, double recess, writing projects, writing stories and book reports, creative projects. If you're lucky, your kid's teacher may do one of those per year. Talk to your kid's teachers, the experienced teachers of 5+ years, and ask them how they've had to change their lessons in the past 5 years.

If parents do nothing - nothing will change with the SOLs.

I call that teaching to a curriculum. That's different than test prep. Our school has 3 in class field trips and 3 out of class field trips. It's plenty. The teachers are the ones who aren't into teaching writing BECAUSE THE SOL WRITING TEST WAS REMOVED! And because they are time consuming for teachers so teachers tend to stick with what is required by the curriculum. Recess is once per day because THAT'S WHAT'S REQUIRED BY LAW. FCPS is all about hands on, project based learning. There's something every month which is more than enough.They just have too many kids per class to implement it well. They'd rather spend their money on other things than class size. Reducing class size is not a huge cost and overall FCPS does not have the largest class size in the region. They just give more teachers to the poorer schools. Class size is just not something they're willing to rob Peter to pay Paul. Book reports are a thing of the past because FCPS feels they are not beneficial. It has nothing to do with testing.

40% of teachers' evaluation is based on student achievement. Teachers are force into teaching to the test. Administrators expect that. They force teachers to have weekly meetings to go over the "data", scores from practice tests and other assessments. Clearly - this person above has never, ever taught a day in her/his life. And, wouldn't last a half day on a good day. Students in VA take an average of 7 tests @ year. (SOLs, SOL test prep, Standardized reading, standardized math, enrichment identification, ELL tests and the lists goes on. Look at your districts testing calendar. FCPS testing calendar is 10 PAGES long. Testing has warped the curriculum and stressed out teachers and students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Every day of the year or every day the test was being held? Our school talks about them the week before and during the tests. I don't think that's too much time.

Just because "they don't talk about" the SOLs, doesn't mean, the teachers, administrators and kids aren't living under the shadow of these tests all year long. Pay close attention. Take a look at the worksheets - the cloze reading practices, the vocabulary matching sheets, the on-screen surveys and practices. It's all test prep. Notice what is missing - field trips, hands-on-learning, smaller classes, double recess, writing projects, writing stories and book reports, creative projects. If you're lucky, your kid's teacher may do one of those per year. Talk to your kid's teachers, the experienced teachers of 5+ years, and ask them how they've had to change their lessons in the past 5 years.

If parents do nothing - nothing will change with the SOLs.

I call that teaching to a curriculum. That's different than test prep. Our school has 3 in class field trips and 3 out of class field trips. It's plenty. The teachers are the ones who aren't into teaching writing BECAUSE THE SOL WRITING TEST WAS REMOVED! And because they are time consuming for teachers so teachers tend to stick with what is required by the curriculum. Recess is once per day because THAT'S WHAT'S REQUIRED BY LAW. FCPS is all about hands on, project based learning. There's something every month which is more than enough.They just have too many kids per class to implement it well. They'd rather spend their money on other things than class size. Reducing class size is not a huge cost and overall FCPS does not have the largest class size in the region. They just give more teachers to the poorer schools. Class size is just not something they're willing to rob Peter to pay Paul. Book reports are a thing of the past because FCPS feels they are not beneficial. It has nothing to do with testing.

40% of teachers' evaluation is based on student achievement. Teachers are force into teaching to the test. Administrators expect that. They force teachers to have weekly meetings to go over the "data", scores from practice tests and other assessments. Clearly - this person above has never, ever taught a day in her/his life. And, wouldn't last a half day on a good day. Students in VA take an average of 7 tests @ year. (SOLs, SOL test prep, Standardized reading, standardized math, enrichment identification, ELL tests and the lists goes on. Look at your districts testing calendar. FCPS testing calendar is 10 PAGES long. Testing has warped the curriculum and stressed out teachers and students.

I didn't think that in fcps or surrounding counties test scores were being used in teacher evaluations. Are they?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Every day of the year or every day the test was being held? Our school talks about them the week before and during the tests. I don't think that's too much time.

Just because "they don't talk about" the SOLs, doesn't mean, the teachers, administrators and kids aren't living under the shadow of these tests all year long. Pay close attention. Take a look at the worksheets - the cloze reading practices, the vocabulary matching sheets, the on-screen surveys and practices. It's all test prep. Notice what is missing - field trips, hands-on-learning, smaller classes, double recess, writing projects, writing stories and book reports, creative projects. If you're lucky, your kid's teacher may do one of those per year. Talk to your kid's teachers, the experienced teachers of 5+ years, and ask them how they've had to change their lessons in the past 5 years.

If parents do nothing - nothing will change with the SOLs.

I call that teaching to a curriculum. That's different than test prep. Our school has 3 in class field trips and 3 out of class field trips. It's plenty. The teachers are the ones who aren't into teaching writing BECAUSE THE SOL WRITING TEST WAS REMOVED! And because they are time consuming for teachers so teachers tend to stick with what is required by the curriculum. Recess is once per day because THAT'S WHAT'S REQUIRED BY LAW. FCPS is all about hands on, project based learning. There's something every month which is more than enough.They just have too many kids per class to implement it well. They'd rather spend their money on other things than class size. Reducing class size is not a huge cost and overall FCPS does not have the largest class size in the region. They just give more teachers to the poorer schools. Class size is just not something they're willing to rob Peter to pay Paul. Book reports are a thing of the past because FCPS feels they are not beneficial. It has nothing to do with testing.

40% of teachers' evaluation is based on student achievement. Teachers are force into teaching to the test. Administrators expect that. They force teachers to have weekly meetings to go over the "data", scores from practice tests and other assessments. Clearly - this person above has never, ever taught a day in her/his life. And, wouldn't last a half day on a good day. Students in VA take an average of 7 tests @ year. (SOLs, SOL test prep, Standardized reading, standardized math, enrichment identification, ELL tests and the lists goes on. Look at your districts testing calendar. FCPS testing calendar is 10 PAGES long. Testing has warped the curriculum and stressed out teachers and students.

I didn't think that in fcps or surrounding counties test scores were being used in teacher evaluations. Are they?

Only if the teacher chooses to use them as the metric for his/her SMARTR goal.